The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-05-28

All right, monsieur. the curate. Good bye"
 And Richter left the old priest, his face bathed with bitter tears.
 Curate Schlegel knelt and prayed.
 The following Sunday at noon the Catholic church of Mulhausen was in- vaded by the ban and the oyTtere ban of the draggers of German sabres. but not single inhabitant was seen among them. From everywhere blue coats with golden buttons and helmets golden picked poured in the church. By orders of the German police an armchair had been placed in the mid de of the principal aisle for the use of the German military governor of the city of Mulhausen.
 Curate Schlegel entered the chancel heading his clergy. He had removed his red ribbon and was dressed in vest ments of dark purple, as those worn by him for the celebration of the feast of martyr.
 The visage of the saintly priest was as white as his surplice; he seemed not to see the mob of soldiers that crowded the church and his eyes were always fixed on the crucifix suspended above the altar.
 Since the day of his last interview with his pastor Richter had disap- peared.
 He discontinued his music lessons to his pupils, to whom he forbade his door That Sunday morning he ar- rayed himself all ill black and went to church, avoiding the main streets as if he wanted to hide himself from all eyes. When he arrived at the church, instead of going behind the altar as he was in the habit to do for the last twenty years, he climbed the stairs conducting to the tribune and sat be- fore the organ.
 Twelve o'clock. And behold Gen eral Von B., military governor ot Mulhausen, making his entrance in the church surrounded by numerous staff and escorted by large body of soldiers, sword in hand.
 The organ peals forth slow and sad melody and the ceremony begins.
 Lugubrious ceremony in which the chants resemble the psalms for the dead and the notes of the organ to the i sighs of the agonizino.
 It is that "by orders emanating the City of Mulhausen Curate Schle- gel signs 7e Deum in the honor of the invaders of his country. Sublime abnegation of the patriot priest.
 And the brave Richter accompanies that martyr on the keyboard.
 The organist, pale and feverish. pressed the ivory with his fingers all trembling.
 Suddenly through a quick motion of his head he throws hair backwards, his eyes, a moment before so dull and almost lifcless. illuminate themselves. his whole body straightens and his fingers strike the key board with a supernatural strength.
 The languiShing organ renders now loud brass sounds, that are repeated again and again by the echoes of the church.
 All the windows are shaking.
 Cuate Schleeel falls on his knees and his clergy with him.
 The Germans look at each other. the tumult increases, kind of fright seizes the soldiers General von B., military governor of Mulhausen, leaves the church in hurry.
 It is that Richter, the organist, the patriot, the true Frenchman plays La Marsellaise on the organ.
 The same day the musician left the city to escape the German police. He has not yet returned. But he will.
 Curate Schlegel died the next day expressing the wish that the first French Ie Deum' be performed on the organ by musician Richter. and his desire shall be granted soon, I am certain.